July 4th Parades

There’s no better way to break up the work-week than to have a parade—except maybe TWO parades! The Arlington Heights parade is followed almost immediately by the Rolling Meadows parade, and the RMHS Marching Mustangs perform in both of them. This is the first time some of the students have performed in public, so come out and give them your support! (A map of the parade routes is at the end of this post.)

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help. Your efforts are appreciated by everyone: students, parents, and staff. If you want to double-check your responsibilities or sign up for one of the remaining positions, visit the Volunteer page and click the sign-up button for the parades. Since it’s going to be so hot Wednesday, the students could really use a few more people to walk the parade and give them water.

Shirts will be tucked in. Make sure that your pants are not too long and dragging on the ground. Even though this is a casual uniform, we still want to look professional and sharp!

Do not wear jewelry, including earrings, or watches.

Eat a light breakfast and drink plenty of water. Try to avoid caffeine, because it can dehydrate you. (Volunteers will provide doughnuts in the morning, and there will be volunteers walking with you to give you water.)

Make sure to have your instrument or flag equipment.

Make sure that your part is memorized for Salute to America! (Percussion also need to memorize the cadences.)

Line up for parade (by St. Peters Church), finish warming up and tuning.

10:00 AM

Parade starts at corner of Dunton and Oakton and goes south to Miner, left on Miner to Hickory at Recreation Park.

10:35 AM

Load buses and return to RMHS.

10:50 AM

Unload buses, get water, go to bathroom, cool off, etc.

11:20 AM

Line up in RMHS parking lot for RM parade.

11:30 AM

Parade starts: goes out of the lot and up Jay, then left on Grouse, then right on Meadows, and then left on Kirchoff.

12:15 PM

Parade performance ends, load buses and return to RMHS.

12:25 PM

Put equipment away properly.

The communities are very appreciative and excited about our participation in these parades. Not only do we represent the band program but RMHS and the cities our students come from. In addition, we are compensated by the organizations that host the parades. This money helps with the bus expenses. Also, these parades are a great way to get all of the new students involved in a performance.

Finally, the parades are a great way to kick off the 4th of July weekend! Thank you for your preparation, cooperation, and participation!

Mr. Buti, Director

If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment on this post. (You can log in using your Facebook or Twitter credentials.)

This is a map of the Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows parade routes: